RAPID Reserve Act

This bill aims to prevent drug shortages by building a rolling backup supply of critical medicines and their key drug ingredients (active pharmaceutical ingredients). The Health and Human Services Secretary would contract with drug makers to keep about a six-month reserve of selected drugs and ingredients, refreshed with recently made stock, at approved sites in the U.S. or in trusted partner countries. In emergencies, the Secretary could direct how these reserves are used and require transfers to other manufacturers to meet patient needs . The agency must issue guidance within 180 days on how it will pick which drugs are “critical,” what makes a supply chain “vulnerable,” and what companies must do to qualify, including strong quality and surge capacity. Contracts would favor U.S. manufacturing and domestic sourcing when possible to strengthen supply at home .

The Secretary could set terms for storage, testing, and delivery; support upgrades or new facilities when needed; and award contracts in ways that boost quality, lower costs, and increase surge capacity. The program would report to Congress every two years on which drugs are covered and how well the program is working. It authorizes $500 million for fiscal year 2026 to carry this out .

Key points

• Who is affected: Patients who rely on critical drugs; hospitals and clinics; drug manufacturers that join the program .
• What changes: Companies keep a refreshed six‑month reserve of selected drugs and ingredients; the government can direct use of reserves during crises; preference for domestic production and materials; detailed guidance within 180 days; regular reports on results .
• When: Guidance due within 180 days of enactment; $500 million available in fiscal year 2026; first report two years after the first contract is awarded, then every two years .